Interview of our Premium Juror, París Chong Director of Leica Gallery Los Angeles

- You are curator, gallerist and the director of the Leica gallery LA…Can you tell us more about your background who lead you to be such a multi functional person and how you became that influential in the world of art and photography ?

This all organically happened for me.

I started off as a photographic model in London and was photographed by the legendary David Bailey. I began my career in front of the camera and instead of going behind it, I decided to showcase art and guide the artists.

- More than a shop dedicated to sell Leica products, the LA Leica store galley organises regularly photo exhibitions. Can you tell us more about the process of curation and if you have already exhibited established street photographers or some emerging ones ?

I love curating, it's my favorite part of the job. When photographers share their work, souls and imagery with me, it's up to me to convey the story... it's my way of storytelling.

When you do something for so many years it just becomes second nature like riding a bike and yet kind of hard to explain.

I have worked with some of the greats and the best emerging street photographers !

Henri Cartier Bresson, Bruce Gilden, Julia Dean, Alan Schaller, Terry LaRue, Bil Brown and I have a show with Joel Meyerowitz next year that I am really looking forward to.

- You’ve integrated our jury this year as our premium guest juror. How is your feeling about collaborating with us and what are you expecting to see as street photography works ?

I am flattered and thrilled to have been chosen as a premium juror and work with PISPA !!

I am hoping to see more street photography from women and I am also looking for unique, fresh out of the box thinking pictures.